| Model Bus Zone News December 2024 & January 2025 |
||
| November 2024 | Model Bus Zone News Index | December 2024 |
| Click the links to view the further details related to the News item. |
||
| Filter Content:
Buckie Model Centre
EFE
Kits
MBF
Northcord OOC Oxford |
Tuesday 14 January |
| Corgi Model Announcements For January to April 2025 |
Hornby Hobbies has announced details of the new 2025 products for the Hornby Railways, Scalextric,& Airfix ranges. For Corgi the announcements only covers releases for the period January to April 2025. In regards to the Airfix, Hornby & Scalextric ranges there are as expected no bus of coach related items to report, the Hornby announcements are solely made up of OO scale rolling stock with no additions to the Scaledale vehicle of building ranges, however Hornby did note that there were some more products yet to be announced, and that a seperate announcement for the TT 1:120 scale range would follow later in the year. Moving on to Corgi, I'm sad to report that there are no OOC or indeed any bus or coach models in the this first catalogue for 2025. There are only 19 Corgi products listed for this period, these being made up of Aircraft (5), Vanguards (8) and Pop Culture, Thunderbirds & Star Trek (6). The Corgi announcement is the only one of the four ranges not to include any totally new model tooling. All the new 2025 products can be viewed on the Corgi.co.uk website.  Click Thumb to view Catalogue
YouTube 2025 Product Announcement Videos: |
Monday 6 January |
| Date For Oxford's Jan-Jun 25 Product Update Announcement |
| Oxford Diecast will announce their updated product plan for both the Diecast & Rail ranges on Friday 17 January at 19:00 GMT, the live event will be accessible via Oxford Diecasts' various social media pages on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and the Oxforddiecast.co.uk site. Eloise Davis, Oxford's Director will also host a question & answers session during the event. This is the first major product announcement since August 2023 and also appears to hint at a switch from the previous three four monthly updates, to half yearly updates/catalogues. Since August 2023, Oxford has cleared what was a fairly large backlog of outstanding new colours & tooling built up during the Covid period in 2020/1. |
Friday 3 January (REPOST) |
| photographs of the Oxford Diecast Falcon Coaches Irizar i6 model |
This is a re-post of the item originally posted on the 7 December, it now contains the previously missing photographs of the Oxford Diecast Irizar i6 coach models (SP174) commissioned by the Byfleet, Surrey based Falcon Buses & Coaches.         The exclusive models are being offered to collectors through the operator's website and are priced £25.00 including UK postage & VAT. Non UK orders can also be arranged. For details of how to order a model please visit the operators falconcoachhire.com site. |
Saturday 28 December |
| Citylink Service 900 Plaxton Panorama Models Announced |
| The Buckie Model Centre has listed three further versions of its exclusive 1:76 scale Holland & Otto Plaxton Panorama coach on its website. The latest models which are expected to be released in late January will feature Stagecoach West Scotland vehicles in the Citylink 900 service branded livery. There are three versions available each featuring different vehicles & destinations, each model is limited to 250 pieces & are priced £57.00 each plus delivery.  The three versions are: 50412 - Vehicle 50412 / YX69 LBK with M90 London via Newcastle destination 50414 - Vehicle 50414 / YX69 LBN with 900 Glasgow via Bailieston destination 50417 - Vehicle 50417 / YX69 LBU with 900 Edinburgh via Bailieston destination Also due in late January are the six Oxford Tube models, three in standard livery & three versions in the Poppy appeal livery applied to YK21 NNK, there are also three Stagecoach versions in the operators yellow long distance coach livery. (see the November 10 news item for further details.  The two Ridleys of Warwick issues of the Plaxton Panorama have also now been released, there's a choice of either M11 Glasgow or Rail Replacement destinations. Only 109 pieces across both versions have been produced. Orders are now open for all of the models mentioned above, further details and previous releases can be found on the Buckie Model Centre's Online Store. |
Boxing Day 26 December |
| Northcord Models Press Release: UKBUS6538 Bee Network |
| The following press was recently issued by Northcord Model Company, the model is expected to arriva in the UK. late January/early February. ADL Enviro400 MMC ukbus 6538 Bee Network Following the significant success in launching the brand new casting of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model in the liveries of National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Bluestar, Stagecoach West Scotland, Southern Vectis, Stagecoach South, Ensign Bus, Xplore Dundee, Stagecoach North West, Stagecoach London Spirit of London and MacMillan Cancer Support Go North East, Stagecoach North Scotland, Go South Coast and Reading Buses, Northcord Model Company is now releasing the twenty first version – ukbus 6538 in the livery of Greater Manchester Bee Network. ukbus 6538 represents fleet number 11852 (YX24 OKN), that was new to Transport for Greater Manchester in April 2024, utilising the 10.9 metre, single door casting. 11852 is operated by Stagecoach Manchester.  ukbus 6538 is displaying route 100 with destination of Manchester via Salford Shopping Centre. 11852 carries full yellow Bee Network livery, including the symbol ‘M’ with ‘Transport for Greater Manchester’ on both sides; the system logo comprises the unique icon ‘working bee’ on all sides together with the ‘BEE NETWORK’ on both sides, and the ‘diesel’ markings on all sides. The Bee Network is an integrated transport network for Greater Manchester, comprising bus, tram, cycling and walking routes. Greater Manchester is set to make history as the first area outside London to bring all bus services under local control in almost 40 years. From Sunday, 5th January 2025, all buses across Greater Manchester will be franchised and under local control, with all Bee Network bus services run by different operators, including Stagecoach Manchester, Diamond North West, First Bus, Go North West, Metroline Manchester and Vision. The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC ukbus 6538 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square, gasket-mounted windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the ukbus 6538 model is its tree protector at the front. The front dome on the model is significant, with curved windscreens on both upper deck and lower deck. Northcord Model Company is also creating new design standards within the interior of both saloons. These features, inside the compartments, will represent the real, outstanding layout of the Enviro400 MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc.  The brand new Enviro400 MMC bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop (HK) respectively. The ukbus 6538 model is limited to 1200 pieces worldwide. |
Christmas Day 25 December |
| Seasons Greetings |
Wishing all users of this site a Very Happy & Peaceful Christmas. |
Tuesday 24 December |
| Revised Release Dates For Next EFE Road Models |
| Bachmann has pushed back the release of the six new EFE Road Bedford OB Duple Vista coaches announced back in October. Originally they had been expected during November/December, this has now been revised to late January / early February. Further information can be found on the Bachmann Europe News site. The photographs below show pre-production decorated samples of the new models. Please note that certain colours or details may vary slightly on the final productiuon models.   E20141 – Bedford OB Coach LLW837 Margo’s of Bexleyheath   E20142 – Bedford OB Coach ACC712 Whiteway of Waenfawr   E20142 – Bedford OB Coach 1949MN Tours (Isle of Man), Douglas   E20144– Bedford OB Coach PV9371 Mulleys Motorways, Ixworth   E20145 – Bedford OB Coach SS7486 Stark’s of Dunbar   E20146 – Bedford OB Coach LRO296 The Mountain Goat, Windermere The following Bachmann Scenecraft range resin 1:76 scale bus/coach related items have now been released.  44-0539B Wooden Bus Shelter (Brown) - UK RRP £24.95  44-0539G Wooden Bus Shelter (Green) - UK RRP £24.95  44-1006G Bus & Coach Station (Green) - UK RRP £72.95  44-1006R Bus & Coach Station (Red) - UK RRP £72.95 |
Tuesday 24 December |
| Oxford To Release New Catalogue In January |
| Oxford Diecast has announced in the latest Globe Magazine that there will a product updated for both the Oxford Diecast & Oxford Rail ranges during January. This will be accompanied by new catalogue, this will be the first new edition since the one announced in August 2023. |
Tuesday 24 December |
| Northcord Models Confirmed UK Release |
The following model has now been released to UK retailers, it likely some retailers won't be fulfilling orders for these models until after the Xmas Holiday period. UKBUS0074 Reading Buses Green Line (route 703 Bracknell) ADL Enviro400 MMC Double Deck Bus |
Tuesday 24 December |
| LT Museum OOC Routemaster Set Released |
The London Transport Museum Shop now released the exclusive commissioned Corgi OOC gift set, that containing AEC Routemaster & New Routemaster models.  The set is supplied in special card prestation box featuring line drawings of both vehicles on the outside & background information on the inside of the lid. The set which is priced £110.00 plus delivery is available by mail order or directly from the Shop within the Covent Garden Museum. Online orders can be placed via the LT Museum Shop website. The "New & Old Routemaster Model Bus Set" contains the following models.  AEC Routemaster bus: OOC model OM463 series Operator: London Transport Registration plate: ALM 63B Fleet number: RM2063 Route & Destination: 9 Liverpool Street Livery: London Transport Red with gold underlined fleetnames & cream band  New Routemaster bus: OOC model OM466 series Operator: London United Busways RATP Group Registration plate: LTZ 1150 Fleet number: LT150 Route & Destination: 9 Hammersmith Livery: Silver with red relief "Bus to the Future" The official Corgi product code is CP46621 for this set, the Museum is using internal stock code 478281. |
Saturday 7 December |
| Photographs of the Oxford Diecast Falcon Coaches Irizar i6 |
| Photographs of the Oxford Diecast Irizar i6 coach models (SP174) commissioned by the Byfleet, Surrey based Falcon Buses & Coaches . The exclusive models are being offered to collectors through the operator's website and are priced £25.00 including UK postage & VAT. Non UK orders can also be arranged. For details of how to order a model please visit the operators falconcoachhire.com site. |
Wednesday 4 December |
| Northcord Models: Production Update & New Announcements |
|
Date : 2nd December 2024 Production update To our valued retailers and collectors : Herewith we itemise an update on likely release dates and status for previously announced models in the ukbus 6200 and ukbus 6500 range. In addition, new future releases are announced. Production delays due to shortage of appropriate labour in all factories in southern China continue to affect many manufacturers and it is appropriate that NMC should advise you accordingly. Furthermore, deliveries are experiencing delays worldwide because of a war in Europe and the Middle East conflict that have each impacted shipping badly. ukbus 6200 Range (Alexander Dennis Enviro400)ukbus 6203 – Stagecoach London (12144 – LX61 DDZ) : models are now available in the UK. ukbus 0073 – Ensignbus (123 – SN59 AWV) : models are now available in the UK. ukbus 6205 - National Express West Midlands (Heritage Livery) (4722 – BU07 LGY) : models are now available in the UK. ukbus 6206 – Reading Buses Green Line 703 (1208 – GO11 LDN) : models are now on the way to the UK. New Announcements ukbus 6207A – Greater Manchester Transport (19470 – MX58 VBL) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by late March 2025. ukbus 6207B – GMS Buses (19532 – MX09 KTT) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by late May 2025. ukbus 6208 – Stagecoach East Scotland (19178 – MX57 LCC) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by early July 2025. ukbus 6500 Range ukbus 6533 – Brighton & Hove (301 – YX69 NVL) : models are now available in the UK. ukbus 0074 – Reading Buses Green Line (782 – SN66 WRD) : models are on the way to the UK. ukbus 6535 – Hampshire Bus (10700 – YEL 4T) : production will be concluded by late December 2024. New Announcements ukbus 6536 – McGill’s Midland Bluebird Unilink (8937 – SN65 CVL) : production will be concluded by mid February 2025. ukbus 6537 – Stagecoach South Coastliner (11600 – YX23 ORG) : production will be concluded by mid January 2025. ukbus 6538 – Bee Network (11852 – YX24 PKN) : production will be concluded by mid December 2024.  ukbus 6539 – Stagecoach London Ambassador (12400 – YX16 OHS) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by early March 2025. ukbus 6540 – East Yorkshire (921 – YX69 HMZ) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by early April 2025.  ukbus 6541 – Xplore Dundee (8905 – SN69 ZNV) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by early May 2025.  ukbus 6542 – Newcastle Busways (10646 – SN66 WKB) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by late July 2025. |
Tuesday 3 December & update 6 Decmeber |
| Falcon Coaches Commissioned Irizar i6 Coach Model |
Oxford Diecast has produced an exclusive commissioned model for Falcon Coaches of Byfleet, Surrey. The 1:76 scale model depicts TUI 1438 one of the operator's Irizar i6 coaches in the company's current eye catching white, red & blue livery. The models are being offered to collectors through the operator's website and are priced £25.00 including UK postage & VAT. Non UK orders can also be arranged. Model are supplied in the standard plastic display case with Oxford Omnibus card wrap. For details of how to order a model please visit the operators falconcoachhire.com site. Update Friday 6 December The official Oxford Diecast product code for this model is SP174. |
Monday 2 December |
| Midland Bus Kits Newsletter December 2024 |
The December issue of the free Midland Bus Kits Newsletter is now available to view. This months edition focuses on Model Bus Scotland's Annual Show with an extensive gallery of photographs of the model exhibits. The "Your Model Buses" section has photographs of David Wright's Wright Travel fleet, Colin Hook's South Notts 69 model & Sydney Ede's United National fleet. An article shows how to convert a diecast Leyland Leopard model from single to twin headlamp configuration, while Alan Roberts explains how to prepare a diecast model for respraying. There's a round up of the latest new diecast & kit model announcements, new accessories & model parts. Ken Jones from the West Midlands N Gauge Club looks at TT scale model buses and also shows the latest additions to his extensive N scale bus & coach collection. John Finny rounds off the 63 page issue with a nostalgic look back on the 50 plus midget coaches built by Ernie Johnston between 1935 & 1956. You can view the latest Newsletter on the Midland Bus Kits site, where you will also find all the previous issues. |
Monday 2 December |
| New Barton Leyland Tiger PS1/1 Double Deck Bus Kit |
Three Peaks Models have announced a new kit of a Barton Willowbrook bodied double deck Leyland Tiger PS1/1. The kit will be available in three different scale 1:50 (£80.00), 1:76 (£50.00) and 1:148 N scale (£18.00) all scales have a further choice of either open or closed rear platform doors. The kit includes a set transfers & window bar stickers to enable both the WAL & VVO registered variations of the vehicles to be reproduced. The kits are currently available to pre-order & shipping is scheduled to commence from the 16th January. Further details can be found on the Three Peaks Models website. |
| November 2024 | Model Bus Zone News Index | December 2024 |